[02/18/14 - 08:30 AM]ABC Is Monday's Non-Sports Leader - "The Bachelor" Is the #1 Series in Adults 18-49 and "Castle" the #1 Series in ViewersABC spins the numbers for Monday, February 17.

[via press release from ABC]

ABC Is Monday's Non-Sports Leader - "The Bachelor" Is the #1 Series in Adults 18-49 and "Castle" the #1 Series in Viewers

ABC Monday Prime (8-11pm - 7.7 million and 2.0/5 in AD18-49): With The Bachelor and Castle, ABC finished as Monday's #1 non-sports network for the 2nd week in a row in Total Viewers (7.7 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.0/5). Posting strong advantages over its competition, ABC's The Bachelor was once again Monday's #1 regular TV program in Adults 18-49. At 10pm, ABC's Castle stood as the night's most-watched TV series overall and as the top-rated scripted show in Adults 18-49 (tie).

· The Network grew week to week by 1.3 million viewers and by 5% in Adults 18-49.

The Bachelor (8-10pm - 7.6 million and 2.2/6 in AD18-49): Topping its non-sports competition in each half-hour from 8-10pm against the Olympics, ABC's The Bachelor beat out Fox's original dramas (Almost Human/The Following) in the 2-hour time period by wide margins in Total Viewers (+46% - 7.6 million vs. 5.2 million) and Adults 18-49 (+29% - 2.2/6 vs. 1.7/4).

Castle (10-11pm - 7.8 million and 1.7/5 in AD18-49): During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's Castle was the dominant #1 series, beating CBS' Intelligence by 37% in Total Viewers (7.8 million vs. 5.7 million) and by 42% in Adults 18-49 (1.7/5 vs. 1.2/3).

Quick Take for Monday, February 17, 2014
(Fast Affiliate Live +Same Day Ratings)

ABC Finishes as Monday's No. 1 Non-sports Network
For the 2nd Straight Week in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49

ABC's "The Bachelor" Leads Fox's Original Dramas
By 46% in Total Viewers and by 29% in Adults 18-49

At 10pm, ABC's "Castle" is Monday's Most-Watched TV Series
And Top Scripted Program in Adults 18-49

Monday Night (8:00-11:00 p.m. - 7.7 million and 2.0/5 in AD18-49):

With "The Bachelor" and "Castle," ABC finished as Monday's No. 1 non-sports network for the 2nd week in a row in Total Viewers (7.7 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.0/5). Posting strong advantages over its competition, ABC's "The Bachelor" was once again Monday's No. 1 regular TV program in Adults 18-49. At 10:00 p.m., ABC's "Castle" stood as the night's most-watched TV series overall and as the top-rated scripted show in Adults 18-49 (tie).

· The Network grew week to week by 1.3 million viewers and by 5% in Adults 18-49.

"The Bachelor" (8:00-10:00 p.m. - 7.6 million and 2.2/6 in AD18-49):

Topping its non-sports competition in each half-hour from 8:00-10:00 p.m. against the Olympics, ABC's "The Bachelor" beat out Fox's original dramas ("Almost Human"/"The Following") in the 2-hour time period by wide margins in Total Viewers (+46% - 7.6 million vs. 5.2 million) and Adults 18-49 (+29% - 2.2/6 vs. 1.7/4).

"Castle" (10:00-11:00 p.m. - 7.8 million and 1.7/5 in AD18-49):

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "Castle" was the dominant No. 1 series, beating CBS' "Intelligence" by 37% in Total Viewers (7.8 million vs. 5.7 million) and by 42% in Adults 18-49 (1.7/5 vs. 1.2/3).

A note about increasing DVR penetration and year-to-year rating comparisons: Year-to-year rating comparisons based on the Live + Same Day data stream are distorted by the level of DVR penetration in the Nielsen sample, which has jumped up to 49% currently, from 47% at the same point in 2013. More viewers are watching shows on their own timetables, which may not be reflected in the overnight next day numbers. The only truly valid year-to-year comparison would be one based on the Live + 7 Day metric, once those stats are released by Nielsen.

Source: The Nielsen Company, Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings, 2/17/14.